Model of the world’s first transporter bridge
Used to cross the mouth of the estuary between Portugalete and Las Arenas, this bridge was designed by the architect Paz Martín Alberto de Palacio Elissagüe in collaboration with the French engineer Joseph Ferdinand Arnodin, the objective was to cross from one bank to the other without hindering the passage of the boats.
The maritime traffic of the time still used boats with high rigging that demanded a free height of about 50 m above high tide. This will become the standard platform height for all transporter bridges.
Innovation through science that uses mechanics and metal led them to design a suspension bridge allowing a gondola to glide through the air for transporting pedestrians, machines, equipment, cars and large vehicles. It has been inscribed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites for its “exceptional expression of technical creativity” since 13 July 2006.
Compared to the ferry, the ferry bridge provided comfort, speed, safety in crossing, independence from tides, currents, fog, waves, weather, etc. and with a soft berth and fast access and exit, being able to work at night with the same ease and regularity as during the day.
The crossing of the 160 meters of breadth that the estuary presents at this point, from dock to dock, was carried out in one minute with 150 people in the gondola; today, it is carried out in 90 seconds.
The population highly values its comfort, friendliness, and speed, being a smooth, easy, efficient, comfortable and silent means of transport.
